Antony Hook
@antonyhook.bsky.social
Leader of the Official Opposition at Kent County Council. Liberal Democrat. Ex-MEP.
This doesn't read like "a ban".
The student group said "no thanks" to an offer to speak.
Freedom of speech is important and so is freedom of association.
If I choose not to associate with you, by not wanting to host you that isn't interference with your free speech.
The student group said "no thanks" to an offer to speak.
Freedom of speech is important and so is freedom of association.
If I choose not to associate with you, by not wanting to host you that isn't interference with your free speech.
February 10, 2026 at 10:14 PM
This doesn't read like "a ban".
The student group said "no thanks" to an offer to speak.
Freedom of speech is important and so is freedom of association.
If I choose not to associate with you, by not wanting to host you that isn't interference with your free speech.
The student group said "no thanks" to an offer to speak.
Freedom of speech is important and so is freedom of association.
If I choose not to associate with you, by not wanting to host you that isn't interference with your free speech.
The bickering between progressive parties about which is best placed to stop Reform in Gorton & Denton is tiresome.
Reform can win if and only if the progressive vote is split.
This underlines the point Labour ought to reform the electoral system for by-elections to give voters more power.
Reform can win if and only if the progressive vote is split.
This underlines the point Labour ought to reform the electoral system for by-elections to give voters more power.
February 10, 2026 at 8:18 PM
The bickering between progressive parties about which is best placed to stop Reform in Gorton & Denton is tiresome.
Reform can win if and only if the progressive vote is split.
This underlines the point Labour ought to reform the electoral system for by-elections to give voters more power.
Reform can win if and only if the progressive vote is split.
This underlines the point Labour ought to reform the electoral system for by-elections to give voters more power.
I've used many of my holidays to do political volunteering but I would never tell or suggest to people who work for me that they should.
That's not how annual leave is meant to work and MPs who want to be responsible employers should know better.
That's not how annual leave is meant to work and MPs who want to be responsible employers should know better.
February 9, 2026 at 8:41 PM
I've used many of my holidays to do political volunteering but I would never tell or suggest to people who work for me that they should.
That's not how annual leave is meant to work and MPs who want to be responsible employers should know better.
That's not how annual leave is meant to work and MPs who want to be responsible employers should know better.
This would be an excellent way to bring highly skilled, talent people to our country, which generally benefits everyone.
The UK Government should create a visa route allowing highly skilled Americans to come to the UK.
Those who no longer want to live under the Trump Presidency would then be able to legally contribute to the UK and boost our economy.
Those who no longer want to live under the Trump Presidency would then be able to legally contribute to the UK and boost our economy.
February 6, 2026 at 12:55 PM
This would be an excellent way to bring highly skilled, talent people to our country, which generally benefits everyone.
Mandelson traded inside information for future jobs.
How can we be sure no other minister has done this?
How can we make sure it doesn't happen in future?
How can we be sure no other minister has done this?
How can we make sure it doesn't happen in future?
February 4, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Mandelson traded inside information for future jobs.
How can we be sure no other minister has done this?
How can we make sure it doesn't happen in future?
How can we be sure no other minister has done this?
How can we make sure it doesn't happen in future?
Breaking: the head of DOGE in Kent has resigned.
My impression of Matthew was that he was a decent man leading a fundamentally ill-conceived project.
My impression of Matthew was that he was a decent man leading a fundamentally ill-conceived project.
February 3, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Breaking: the head of DOGE in Kent has resigned.
My impression of Matthew was that he was a decent man leading a fundamentally ill-conceived project.
My impression of Matthew was that he was a decent man leading a fundamentally ill-conceived project.
🚨 NEW: Ofsted judges Kent County Council's support for care leavers as "POOR."
Care leavers are young adults (18+) who grew up in care. Like any parent, the council has a duty to support them as they start adult life.
Instead, KCC is failing them—and the Leader’s response is dishonest. 🧵
Care leavers are young adults (18+) who grew up in care. Like any parent, the council has a duty to support them as they start adult life.
Instead, KCC is failing them—and the Leader’s response is dishonest. 🧵
February 3, 2026 at 2:57 PM
🚨 NEW: Ofsted judges Kent County Council's support for care leavers as "POOR."
Care leavers are young adults (18+) who grew up in care. Like any parent, the council has a duty to support them as they start adult life.
Instead, KCC is failing them—and the Leader’s response is dishonest. 🧵
Care leavers are young adults (18+) who grew up in care. Like any parent, the council has a duty to support them as they start adult life.
Instead, KCC is failing them—and the Leader’s response is dishonest. 🧵
At the Bath Victorian Gallery's exhibition on posters.
This is how you do a political fundraiser:
- look at a dolphin
- in particular its teeth
- a lady plays piano
- pay thruppence
This is how you do a political fundraiser:
- look at a dolphin
- in particular its teeth
- a lady plays piano
- pay thruppence
February 3, 2026 at 9:59 AM
At the Bath Victorian Gallery's exhibition on posters.
This is how you do a political fundraiser:
- look at a dolphin
- in particular its teeth
- a lady plays piano
- pay thruppence
This is how you do a political fundraiser:
- look at a dolphin
- in particular its teeth
- a lady plays piano
- pay thruppence
Reposted by Antony Hook
Britain Doesn’t Need Trump's Politics | Ed Davey
Britain Doesn’t Need Trump's Politics | Ed Davey
Kemi Badenoch says she doesn’t want centrists in her party.Instead of focusing on what people actually want, like an NHS that works, she’s choosing to imitat...
buff.ly
February 2, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Britain Doesn’t Need Trump's Politics | Ed Davey
The only home for centrists now is the Liberal Democrats
🔴 Why Badenoch won’t move to the centre
📝 New post 👇🏻
📝 New post 👇🏻
Why Badenoch won’t move to the centre
The Tories and Reform will continue to converge...
writesbright.substack.com
February 1, 2026 at 11:23 AM
The only home for centrists now is the Liberal Democrats
6 years tonight since Brexit.
It was the honour of my life to be part of the last (for now) group of Brtish Lib Dem MEPs.
I'm confident that in time a new generation of UK MEPs will restore what has been lost and rebuild what has been broken.
Our long-term future really depends on it.
It was the honour of my life to be part of the last (for now) group of Brtish Lib Dem MEPs.
I'm confident that in time a new generation of UK MEPs will restore what has been lost and rebuild what has been broken.
Our long-term future really depends on it.
January 31, 2026 at 7:39 PM
6 years tonight since Brexit.
It was the honour of my life to be part of the last (for now) group of Brtish Lib Dem MEPs.
I'm confident that in time a new generation of UK MEPs will restore what has been lost and rebuild what has been broken.
Our long-term future really depends on it.
It was the honour of my life to be part of the last (for now) group of Brtish Lib Dem MEPs.
I'm confident that in time a new generation of UK MEPs will restore what has been lost and rebuild what has been broken.
Our long-term future really depends on it.
I was on @kentonline.co.uk 's Politics Podcast yesterday talking about LGR, future elections, Reform's failures and some other stuff.
share.google/NgPLFTR0xBoU...
share.google/NgPLFTR0xBoU...
EP101: The Future of Local Government in Kent and the Role of Reform UK - The Kent Politics Podcast
THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 101 - The Future of Local Government in Kent and the Role of Reform UK Episode: The Future of Local Government in Kent and the Role of Reform UK On this week's episod...
share.google
January 30, 2026 at 9:27 AM
I was on @kentonline.co.uk 's Politics Podcast yesterday talking about LGR, future elections, Reform's failures and some other stuff.
share.google/NgPLFTR0xBoU...
share.google/NgPLFTR0xBoU...
Criticising a lawyer for doing their best for their client is wrong and foolish.
The rule of law depends on lawyers doing their best.
It is for a judge to decide whether their arguments are right and for MPs to make the law.
The rule of law depends on lawyers doing their best.
It is for a judge to decide whether their arguments are right and for MPs to make the law.
January 29, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Criticising a lawyer for doing their best for their client is wrong and foolish.
The rule of law depends on lawyers doing their best.
It is for a judge to decide whether their arguments are right and for MPs to make the law.
The rule of law depends on lawyers doing their best.
It is for a judge to decide whether their arguments are right and for MPs to make the law.
Its no surprise that centrist, moderate people who once voted Conservative are now supporting the Liberal Democrats.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Centrist ideas no longer wanted in Conservative party, says Kemi Badenoch
Party leader tells MPs that one-nation Tories doubting her rightward direction ‘need to get out of the way’
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Its no surprise that centrist, moderate people who once voted Conservative are now supporting the Liberal Democrats.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Rubbish.
NATO is a defensive mutual alliance .
"Imperialist war machines" invade other countries to seize territory or resources.
NATO only acts defensively and has deterred imperialist wars by others.
NATO is a defensive mutual alliance .
"Imperialist war machines" invade other countries to seize territory or resources.
NATO only acts defensively and has deterred imperialist wars by others.
The answer is “no”.
Every pound spent on bombs & tanks is money stolen from schools & hospitals.
Anti-imperialism isn’t vibes, it’s a commitment to confronting empire.
If you recognise NATO as an imperialist war machine we should leave immediately, join Your Party: in.yourparty.uk/users/sign_up
Every pound spent on bombs & tanks is money stolen from schools & hospitals.
Anti-imperialism isn’t vibes, it’s a commitment to confronting empire.
If you recognise NATO as an imperialist war machine we should leave immediately, join Your Party: in.yourparty.uk/users/sign_up
January 27, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Rubbish.
NATO is a defensive mutual alliance .
"Imperialist war machines" invade other countries to seize territory or resources.
NATO only acts defensively and has deterred imperialist wars by others.
NATO is a defensive mutual alliance .
"Imperialist war machines" invade other countries to seize territory or resources.
NATO only acts defensively and has deterred imperialist wars by others.
Reposted by Antony Hook
🎵I think I’ve seen this film before, and I didn’t like the ending…🎶
The people who broke our country are the same people Nigel Farage is now relying on to fix it.
It couldn’t be clearer: Reform UK are simply the Conservatives with a new logo.
The people who broke our country are the same people Nigel Farage is now relying on to fix it.
It couldn’t be clearer: Reform UK are simply the Conservatives with a new logo.
January 27, 2026 at 1:16 PM
🎵I think I’ve seen this film before, and I didn’t like the ending…🎶
The people who broke our country are the same people Nigel Farage is now relying on to fix it.
It couldn’t be clearer: Reform UK are simply the Conservatives with a new logo.
The people who broke our country are the same people Nigel Farage is now relying on to fix it.
It couldn’t be clearer: Reform UK are simply the Conservatives with a new logo.
People should write Trump a list:
Things You Could Do To Win One (Or More!) Nobel Peace Prize.
As POTUS he has numerous tools to actually do those things.
It would genuinely be magnificent for us all.
Things You Could Do To Win One (Or More!) Nobel Peace Prize.
As POTUS he has numerous tools to actually do those things.
It would genuinely be magnificent for us all.
January 21, 2026 at 1:56 PM
People should write Trump a list:
Things You Could Do To Win One (Or More!) Nobel Peace Prize.
As POTUS he has numerous tools to actually do those things.
It would genuinely be magnificent for us all.
Things You Could Do To Win One (Or More!) Nobel Peace Prize.
As POTUS he has numerous tools to actually do those things.
It would genuinely be magnificent for us all.
Newspapers and major news websites ought to be required to have a 10cm box in a corner of page 1 that says:
"The principal owners of this newspaper live in [country] and [do/do not] pay tax in the UK]."
"The principal owners of this newspaper live in [country] and [do/do not] pay tax in the UK]."
These so-called "patriotic" 🇬🇧newspapers who brought you Brexit were never really patriotic at all.
They are driven by a disdain for Britain's European neighbours, and a fawning obsession with America.
They do not really want 🇬🇧 to be sovereign. They're content being a 🇺🇸vassal.
They are driven by a disdain for Britain's European neighbours, and a fawning obsession with America.
They do not really want 🇬🇧 to be sovereign. They're content being a 🇺🇸vassal.
January 18, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Newspapers and major news websites ought to be required to have a 10cm box in a corner of page 1 that says:
"The principal owners of this newspaper live in [country] and [do/do not] pay tax in the UK]."
"The principal owners of this newspaper live in [country] and [do/do not] pay tax in the UK]."
Reposted by Antony Hook
"We're the only party showing we want to re-engage with Europe in a serious way."
@EdDavey.LibDems.org.uk
@EdDavey.LibDems.org.uk
January 17, 2026 at 9:30 AM
"We're the only party showing we want to re-engage with Europe in a serious way."
@EdDavey.LibDems.org.uk
@EdDavey.LibDems.org.uk
Demand better
A Reform UK county council cabinet member who said he wanted to punch a colleague in a WhatsApp message is to face no further action...
More info: kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/no...
More info: kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/no...
January 16, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Demand better
Reform is fast becoming "Conservatives with a new name and logo."
But with the worst aspects of conservativism increased and the more honourable side removed.
It's the most facile rebrand since Royal Mail briefly became Consignia in 2001.
But with the worst aspects of conservativism increased and the more honourable side removed.
It's the most facile rebrand since Royal Mail briefly became Consignia in 2001.
January 16, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Reform is fast becoming "Conservatives with a new name and logo."
But with the worst aspects of conservativism increased and the more honourable side removed.
It's the most facile rebrand since Royal Mail briefly became Consignia in 2001.
But with the worst aspects of conservativism increased and the more honourable side removed.
It's the most facile rebrand since Royal Mail briefly became Consignia in 2001.
I'm glad to have recently joined Bluesky but am not clear yet on how well anything that isn't vaguely political will get answered.
But let's see...
Any suggestions for non-obvious places in 🇬🇧/🇮🇪 for really good holidays with children (primary aged)?
But let's see...
Any suggestions for non-obvious places in 🇬🇧/🇮🇪 for really good holidays with children (primary aged)?
January 16, 2026 at 6:42 PM
I'm glad to have recently joined Bluesky but am not clear yet on how well anything that isn't vaguely political will get answered.
But let's see...
Any suggestions for non-obvious places in 🇬🇧/🇮🇪 for really good holidays with children (primary aged)?
But let's see...
Any suggestions for non-obvious places in 🇬🇧/🇮🇪 for really good holidays with children (primary aged)?
Reposted by Antony Hook
No Kemi, Trump threatening to invade a NATO ally is not a "second order issue."
It’s a direct challenge to Britain’s security and the future of NATO.
It’s a direct challenge to Britain’s security and the future of NATO.
January 11, 2026 at 2:34 PM
No Kemi, Trump threatening to invade a NATO ally is not a "second order issue."
It’s a direct challenge to Britain’s security and the future of NATO.
It’s a direct challenge to Britain’s security and the future of NATO.